The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 belongs to a period when one-ton 4x4 pickups were built for serious work, with the square-body GMC line balancing heavy-duty capability and straightforward durability. Buyers looking after one today are often focused as much on usable fitment as on preserving the truck’s proper stance and load-carrying character. Tire selection centers on two radial 16-inch sizes, with 245/75R16 used on single-rear-wheel Sierra, SLE, and SLX models, and 225/75R16 used on the corresponding DRW versions. Current choices lean toward a truck-ready all-terrain radial with raised white letter styling, so the real priority is matching the tire to the truck’s exact wheel and rear-wheel configuration.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on whether the truck is a single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel sub-model. Both are radial tires for 16-inch rims, so the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup before comparing tire choices. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to selecting the right load-capable tire within the proper size.
245/75R16 is a metric radial size where 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500, this size is used on single-rear-wheel Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX models. Available choices in this size include a BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 with raised white letter sidewall styling and a truck-oriented all-terrain character. It is the size to evaluate when the truck needs the proper SRW fitment along with the right wheel-width compatibility and load-capable construction.
Fit(s): Sierra (DRW), Sierra SLE (DRW), and Sierra SLX (DRW)
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
225/75R16 is a metric radial size in which 225 represents nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. This size belongs to the dual-rear-wheel versions of the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500, including Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX DRW models. The available product in this fitment is a BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls, giving the truck a more traditional light-truck appearance. It is the size to review when the truck has the correct DRW wheel setup and needs a tire matched to that narrower fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 because tire size changes with the rear-wheel configuration. Single-rear-wheel trucks use one size, while dual-rear-wheel versions use another, so identifying the exact Sierra, SLE, or SLX setup is the key first step.
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1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra uses the single-rear-wheel tire fitment, built around a radial 16-inch setup. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing the right SRW light-truck tire while confirming the wheel width and overall truck configuration still match the original-style arrangement.
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra (DRW) uses the dual-rear-wheel tire size, which differs from the single-rear-wheel version even though both use 16-inch rims. That makes wheel configuration more important than trim name alone when narrowing down the proper tire.
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLE follows the same single-rear-wheel tire pattern as other SRW trims and uses a radial 16-inch fitment. The main choice is selecting a tire that suits the truck’s intended use while keeping the correct size and wheel compatibility in place.
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLE (DRW) uses the dual-rear-wheel tire fitment rather than the wider SRW size. That distinction affects tire selection immediately, so the buyer should confirm the truck is still on the proper DRW wheel setup before comparing products.
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLX uses the single-rear-wheel fitment and shares the same radial 16-inch tire size as the other SRW trims. Selection comes down to choosing the correct tire within that size while keeping an eye on wheel-width compatibility and intended truck use.
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Sierra SLX (DRW) uses the narrower dual-rear-wheel tire size on a 16-inch rim. For this sub-model, the important step is matching the tire to the DRW wheel package rather than assuming the wider SRW fitment applies across all K3500 trims.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 Tires for Sale
Available 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 tire options center on BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 radials in both primary sizes. The main comparison points are the correct SRW or DRW fitment, raised white letter sidewall presentation, load capacity, and the wheel-width range tied to each size.
These 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 FAQs focus on the two 16-inch radial tire sizes, how fitment changes between SRW and DRW sub-models, and what to check when comparing truck tires for road use, appearance, and wheel compatibility.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500?
A 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 uses either 245/75R16 or 225/75R16, and both are radial tire sizes for 16-inch rims. The 245/75R16 size applies to Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX single-rear-wheel models, while 225/75R16 applies to the corresponding dual-rear-wheel versions.
The key is matching the tire size to the truck’s actual rear-wheel configuration rather than the K3500 badge alone. A truck that has been changed over to different wheels or a different axle setup should be checked carefully before ordering, since SRW and DRW fitments are not the same even though both use 16-inch wheels.
What size rim does a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 use?
The primary tire sizes for the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 both use a 16-inch rim diameter. The 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 fitments share that same wheel diameter, which keeps the basic rim size straightforward even though tire width changes between SRW and DRW trucks.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a one-ton pickup. Wheel width still matters, especially because the available 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 products are intended for different width ranges, so it is worth confirming the actual wheel dimensions before selecting a replacement tire.
Why does the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 have more than one tire size?
The 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 has more than one tire size because fitment changes between single-rear-wheel and dual-rear-wheel versions. SRW Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLX models use 245/75R16, while DRW versions of those same trims use 225/75R16.
That means the trim name alone is not enough unless it also reflects the rear-wheel layout. A buyer standing in front of the truck should confirm whether it is a single- or dual-rear-wheel setup, then verify the wheel size and width before narrowing the choice to the proper tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/75R16 tire for a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500?
Choosing a 245/75R16 tire for a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 starts with confirming that the truck is a single-rear-wheel Sierra, Sierra SLE, or Sierra SLX. In the available selection, this size is offered as a BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 radial with a raised white letter sidewall and a max load capacity of 3,042 lbs @ 80 psi.
Beyond the size itself, compare the truck’s actual wheel width to the tire’s 6.5 to 8.0 inch rim-width range and make sure the tire suits how the truck is used. A work-oriented or regularly driven K3500 may need different priorities than a lightly used collector truck that is kept closer to a period-style presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 tires?
The available tire options for the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 use an RWL sidewall style, which means raised white letters. That styling appears on both the 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 products, giving the truck a traditional late-1980s light-truck look.
Sidewall treatment affects appearance more than fitment, but it still matters on a truck that is being restored, preserved, or simply kept visually consistent with its era. Once the correct SRW or DRW size is confirmed, the sidewall style becomes part of the decision about whether the tire should look more utilitarian, more period-inspired, or more modern.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500?
BFGoodrich is represented in the available tire choices for the 1989 GMC Trucks K3500. Both primary sizes, 245/75R16 for SRW trucks and 225/75R16 for DRW trucks, are available in the All Terrain TA KO2 radial series.
That keeps the brand decision simple and shifts attention to fitment details that matter more on this application. The buyer should focus on choosing the correct size for the truck’s wheel configuration, then compare the tire’s load capacity, wheel-width range, and overall appearance against the truck’s intended work or collector use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 GMC Trucks K3500?
A period-style 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 should start with the correct original fitment type for its configuration: 245/75R16 on SRW models or 225/75R16 on DRW models. Both available choices are radial light-truck tires, which suit the truck’s era and preserve the proper distinction between single- and dual-rear-wheel setups.
Appearance decisions come after the basic fitment is right. Raised white letter sidewalls give the truck a distinctly late-1980s truck presentation, but exact restoration goals can vary, so buyers chasing a highly specific look should compare the tire visually with period photos, surviving originals, or marque-specific reference material.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 GMC Trucks K3500?
On a restored 1989 GMC Trucks K3500, radial construction keeps the truck aligned with its proper fitment type and supports the light-truck stance expected from a one-ton GMC of this era. Since both primary sizes are radial, the visual differences come less from construction changes and more from size, tread character, and sidewall treatment.
The most noticeable appearance shift usually comes from using the wrong SRW or DRW size, which can alter how the truck sits on its wheels. Keeping the correct 16-inch radial size for the exact sub-model is the best starting point before fine-tuning the look through details such as raised white letters and overall tire profile.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 even when the truck still uses a 16-inch wheel. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension lifts, lowering, axle swaps, or conversions between single- and dual-rear-wheel setups can all change which tire size is appropriate.
That is especially important on a K3500 because the truck already has two distinct factory-type fitments. A buyer should verify actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and rear-wheel configuration on the truck itself, then check that the tire size under consideration still has proper clearance and matches the wheel it will be mounted on.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 16-inch diameter and proper width, then confirm the truck has the right SRW or DRW size installed. It is also smart to check for suspension wear, steering play, damaged valve stems, and any rubbing points around the fenders or inner wheel areas.
A one-ton truck puts more demand on its tires than a lighter collector vehicle, so air pressure, lug torque, and visible clearance should all be reviewed before normal road use. It also helps to recheck the tires after the first short drive to make sure there is no uneven contact, vibration, or interference.
How should 245/75R16 and 225/75R16 tires on a collector 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 be maintained?
245/75R16 and 225/75R16 tires on a collector 1989 GMC Trucks K3500 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and moisture. A truck that sits frequently still needs routine pressure checks because low-use vehicles can lose air gradually.
Maintenance also includes watching the truck’s wheel and suspension condition, since a heavy-duty pickup can develop wear that shows up at the tires first. Even if tread depth looks good, aging and storage conditions matter, so any tire that shows visible deterioration or persistent air loss deserves closer evaluation before road use.
